Manning won’t go down “memory lane” on pursuit by 49ers

With the 49ers preparing to host the Broncos on Sunday in a preseason game, the media has revisited for the second time this week the incredible (as in not credible) explanation from the 49ers that they never “pursued” quarterback Peyton Manning and that they only “evaluated” him, like they would evaluate any other free agent.

Earlier, offensive coordinator Greg Roman bristled at the notion that the Niners are full of something other than chocolate fudge on the topic, insisting it was only an evaluation.

Manning opted not to discuss the matter, but what he said suggested that it was more than a look-see.

“I can’t speak for them,” Manning said, via Cam Inman of BayAreaNewsGroup.com. “It’s pretty well documented how all that went down in the offseason. Not really going down memory lane.”

“Pretty well documented” could be a passive-aggressive way of saying that the Niners did a lot more than “evaluate” him. (Which they did.)

Coach Jim Harbaugh was even more prickly on his, yes, evaluation of Manning’s return from multiple neck surgeries.

“Does it matter what I think in that regard?” Harbaugh said. “I don’t think so. I don’t see the relevancy of what my opinion is on that. I don’t think it’s relevant at all to our situation here.”

We understand why Harbaugh wouldn’t want to talk about Manning. The 49ers tried to get him. They failed. And they’d prefer that the rest of us not remind them of it.

I seriously wonder what is going through Alex Smith’s mind going into this season. He had his best season as a pro and almost took this team to the SB, yet was “almost” replaced by a 4 time MVP coming off neck surgery.

Not to mention that during his career, he’s been replaced/lost his job to the the likes of Shaun Hill, J.T. O’Sullivan, David Carr, Troy Smith, even Trent Dilfer. Those guys are now retired, back-ups, or in other leagues.

That’s alot to go through, especially when you were drafted not only to be the man in SF, but also ahead of Aaron Rodgers. The fact that he has survived ALL of that speaks volumes of his character.

mmsierra says:Aug 24, 2012 7:37 PM

I think they tried for Manning
They might have been a better team with Manning and their other additions
Except for salary cap implications
But, you can see the organization moved heaven and earth to try to improve this squad

And, having watched Manning play in the pre-season, I think they were right. The smarts are still there and he’s great an nickel-and-diming defenses. But every time he tries to go more than 15-yards he has to put his whole body into it and he’s getting a lot floaters and wounded ducks, three of which have been picked.

He looks more like some weak-armed QB from Cabbage U than the Peyton Manning of old…

Florio, you have no credibility. I like how you operate from you God seat and issue statements that you try to sell as some type of truth or fact. It’s not. They didn’t make him an offer, they didn’t publicly bring him in (they went to see him throw), they didn’t do anything that the Broncos or Titans did.

The one thing about the niners is they are fiscally responsible with the salary cap there was no way they would pay 1/6 of the salary cap to one player. So move on from the lame diabolical comment everytime there’s an article about Harbaugh or the niners.

Its the preseason, why would you try to anger the other team during preseason. You reporters are going to get Manning hurt against that defense, and no one ( except maybe some AFC West Fans ) want to see that happen.

What seems very interesting to me, is that all these niner fans are forgetting how this even took place., how it all came about. I’m no coach or gm, but it seems to me, that if you are simply evaluating a guy, that’s a free agent, yet you already have a guy in place at that position, you’re still saying to that guy, we can get better., in any event, we all saw how alex couldn’t complete a pass in the fourth qtr of the afc championship game., how there wasn’t much of a pass rush and it came down to needed to make a play and he couldn’t!, bottom line, he’s totally under performed his entire career., and jus cause you have a great season as team, dosent mean one person should get the praise, it only means you have a good team, not a good qb., which the jury is still out on… goodluck with your second choice niners!, mile high salute!!!

It’s obvious that manning doesn’t want to show up Hairbough. He’s afraid he’ll get hit from behind.

thereisfootballwestofjersey says:Aug 24, 2012 9:13 PM

Hey voiceofreason. Make sure you come around here at the midway point of the season when the Niner defense is rated #1, they’re sitting @ 7-2 and Alex Smith leads the league in TD to interception ratio.

Your voice has no reason and your anti Niner stance is as old as the Steelers.

And, having watched Manning play in the pre-season, I think they were right. The smarts are still there and he’s great an nickel-and-diming defenses. But every time he tries to go more than 15-yards he has to put his whole body into it and he’s getting a lot floaters and wounded ducks, three of which have been picked.

He looks more like some weak-armed QB from Cabbage U than the Peyton Manning of old…
______________________

Like I’ve been saying for the last six months, the guy was done last year and he knew it. He conned a team into giving him big bucks.

Orangecrush is a CLOWN!! First off- A. Smith was not a niner under contract, HE wanted to test the market out! And by the way, there was an offer on the table all along for Smith- FACT! So a team going to ‘look’ at other options is saying that they didn’t want him? Try again! Secondly- and I feel bad about even schooling you on this, because to be perfectly honest, with an old school label like ‘orange crush’, I expected you to know better….uhh, here goes: ALEX SMITH DIDN’T PLAY IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!! And just in case you don’t realize it- you lil’ ponies aren’t in the NFC.. They’re in the AFC WEST.. consider it a free lesson from THE FAITHFUL ALL AROUND!
Now should I close with a salute?!! That’s wack!! That would be like me trying to throw an old flash 80 cabbage patch dance at you- or the M. Hanks chicken dance and saying ‘I’m out!!’ Instead I’ll say I got 5 on it!! And 5 rings too!! Deuces!!!!

What are you talking about? No one is saying about Smith we are talking about the niners evaluation of Peyton. But point out Smith’s struggles how many times did Peyton get out out of the playoffs before he made it to the Super Bowl. He also lost the SB by throwing the pick to the Saints. I’m not saying Smith has had a career anywhere near Peyton but don’t act like he hasn’t struggle a plenty in the playoffs himself.

OK so apparently Florio & all these other Niner haters think that:
When you have a FREE AGENT QB in Alex Smith who has an offer on the table, and hasn’t signed or accepted in months. You are supposed to what? Sit on ur hands and wait and pray for him to sign? Ummm…no u look for other options.
You people are foolish. You can’t have a season without a QB, OF COURSE THEY LOOKED ELSEWHERE doesn’t mean they offered him 1/6 of their salary cap. They low balled him because of the neck….which is what they should’ve done